Not going to claim that it's easy, but we have slid the hard top out the back with the rack in place. If you don't have a large swing out bumper with fuel cans etc. it probably wouldn't be too bad.

 

I've gone thorugh the process of disconnecting the rack from the rear posts, and front bar (quick dicos) lifting it with the hoist, moving the jeep, lowering the rack, moving the rack to the side, backing up the jeep, removing the hard top with the hoist, moving the jeep, moving the hartop to the side, moving the rack and lifting it with the hoist, backing up the jeep, installing the rack. 35 minutes.

What I do now is taking off the stairs, hooking the hard top to the rear hook of the hoist lift frame, and slowly having someone pull out while I secure the hard top off. It is a tight fit and the hard top may be scratched, but very much easier. I realy don't care for the hard top scratched as it is on the top part only and is hardly seen.

 

The sliding it out idea may be the way to go.

Thanks

 

here are some pictures of how the rack went today. The hardest part was removing the ridiculously light and feeble rear bumper. I then attached the rear supports as per the instructions. I then installed the front windshield surround/lightbar which was pretty easy. The rear hoop was next, and again, easy to do. The hardest part was getting help to put the rack on the roof. I didn't follow the instructions, as they wanted me to place the rack vertically on a 41" table. Who the heck has a 41" table lying around their driveway? I just set the rack on top (after covering my top with foam squares out of the kids playroom floor) and proceeded to bolt and tighten the whole thing up. The only bolt to give me trouble was the bottom one on the front assembly. If you have the quick disconnects this won't matter. I will attach the ladder and lights tomorrow. The best part is that it fits in my garage with room to spare including the lights. I can now get that 2-3" lift and bigger tires ion the future.

 

Still drooling over the Gobi - not much longer on my all-inclusive desert vacation and I'll be home to order one!!!
b5rider -thanks for the pics of the rear brackets in place, looks like it should fit with my RockHard rear setup.

 

Guys,

I'm about to order one from Alpha. Is this something that can be installed by the average Joe or does it take a lot of mechanical aptitude? My skills are average at best but my biggest problem is I have ZERO patience. Is it a PITA or does everything go together smoothly? I don't want to have to go and kick a homeless man in the nuts. And is there any drilling involved?

Cheers

 

First thing you do when you get the rack is lay everything out like a surgeon's table. Then you read the instructions. The pictures and the wording that matches are NOT on the same page, so you have to follow carefully. That said, everything goes together beautifully. This is a high quality rack that is well engineered. They use lock nuts on all the fasteners and there are not many pieces that look alike and have you scratching your head. I put it together by myself in about 1.5 hours. The only help you will need is to place the large rack on the top. You also could use some help in placing the windshield surround, but I covered the hood with furniture pads as not to scratch it and was able to install it on my own. I would give it 2 out of five on the difficulty scale and only because of the weight. If you can turn a wrench, you can install it.

 

No problem. I was hoping to put it on without taking the bumper off, but after I found out how easy it is to take off (6 bolts) and how light it was (10lbs, maybe) it was a piece of cake.

 

Agree with b5rider.


And trust me, my biggest enemy is the patience as well. And that is what friends, Co-Workers, neighbors are for... right!?

A blancket can comes in handy from time to time during the install. But 2 people is the best for lifting the rack basket and the light bar.

 

If you have a hoist installed, you may use it to lift the basket, that's what I did!!!